Paint type can and attachment



Feb. 18, 1969 R. w. STEPHENS 3,428,213

PAINT TYPE CAN ANDATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 11. 1967 R m w N 190854? 14 srzp/aws A 7'- TOPNEYS United States Patent Oflice 3,428,213 Patented Feb. 18, 1969 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed herein an attachment which is adapted to fit into an opening inthe top wall of a paint container. The attachment is preferably made of organic plastic material and has an annular wall with a plurality of vertically spaced, wedge shaped, annular rings on the outer surface thereof. The diameter of the rings increases progressively upwardly along the wall to produce a plurality of shoulders of increasing diameter. When the attachment is placed within an opening in the top wall of the container, one of the shoulders engages the side of the opening in the container depending upon the diameter of the opening in the container. The attachment includes an integral annular lip that extends outwardly and upwardly from the outer periphery of the annular wall, the diameter of the lip being greater than the diameter of the side wall of the container. The attachment further includes a cover which produces an airtight seal with the annular lip so that the attachment need not be removed from the container.

This invention relates to paint type cans and attachment to prevent dripping of the paint into the groove that is conventionally found in the top or cover of conventional paint cans.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a paint type can and attachment which will fit paint cans of varying sizes; which includes a cover providing an air-tight seal so that the attachment need not be removed from the paint can; which includes a novel brush retaining element; which includes a novel brush scraping edge; which can be manufactured at low cost and which can be easily cleaned.

Basically, the invention comprises an attachment which is adapted to fit into an opening in the top wall of a paint container. The attachment is preferably made of organic plastic material and has an annular wall with a plurality of vertically spaced, wedge shaped, annular rings on the outer surface thereof. The diameter of the rings increases progressively upwardly along the Wall to produce a plurality of shoulders of increasing diameter. When the attachment is placed within an opening in the top wall of the container, one of the shoulders engages the side of the opening in the container depending upon the diameter of the opening in the container. The attachment includes an integral annular lip that extends outwardly and upwardly from the outer periphery of the annular wall, the diameter of the lip being greater than the diameter of the side wall of the container. The attachment further includes a cover which produces an airtight seal with the annular lip so that the attachment need not be removed from the container.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view through a paint type can and attachment embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of attachment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the paint can and attachment shown in FIG. 1.

, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of paint canattachment.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 55 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a further modified form of paint can attachment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention is directed to a conventional paint can 10 that embodies a cylindrical side wall 11 and a top wall or cover 12 that has an edge 13 that is rolled or crimped over a rolled edge 14 on the upper end of the side wall 11. The cover 12 also includes a circular opening 15 that is defined by a curved edge 16 and a groove 15a. In accordance with conventional practice, a cover is provided over the opening 15 and is removed to expose the contents of the can 10.

In accordance with the invention, the attachment 20 comprises an annular 'wall 21 that is provided with a smooth inner surface 22 and a plurality of vertically spaced, wedge shaped, annular ribs or rings 23 on the outer surface thereof. The ribs or rings 23 are of progessively increasing diameter vertically upwardly. Each rib includes an upper surface 24 that forms a shoulder and a downwardly and inwardly tapered surface 25 of greater slope than the slope of the surface 24. An annular lip 26 extends radially and upwardly outwardly from the upper end of the wall 21 and is more horizontal than vertical. The outer periphery 27 (FIG. 1) of the lip 26 has a greater outer diameter than the diameter of the wall 11 of the can 10.

A removable cover 28 having a flange 29 is snapped over a bead 26a on the periphery of the lip 26 to form an air-tight seal so that the attachment need not be removed. By using cover 28, it is unnecessary to remove the attachment 20 and use the conventional lid when the paint is stored. Both the attachment 20 and the cover 28 are made of organic plastic material such as polyethylene.

A further feature of the invention comprises a sharp radially inwardly extending edge 35 at the area of juncture of the frusto-conical wall 21 and the lip 26 against which the bristles of the brush can be scraped.

A further feature of the invention comprises a shallow groove 26b adjacent but spaced from the periphery of the lip 26 which functions to minimize any tendency of the paint to drip over the edge of the lip 26.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the annular lip 26' is formed with an upwardly and circumferentially extending lug 30. The lug 30 includes an interconnecting portion 31 and a circumferentially extending portion 32 which is spaced upwardly and outwardly from the upper edge of the lip 26' to engage the handle H of a brush and thereby hold a brush in position with the bristles B overlying the opening of the container.

By providing an annular wall 21 and a plurality of vertically spaced ribs 23 of diiferent diameters, the attachment may be accommodated to openings of different diameters merely by forcing the attachment vertically downwardly into the container until the edge 16 of the container engages the rib of proper diameter to form an airtight seal. By providing a lip 26 that extends beyond the periphery of the largest can, any tendency of paint to drip within the cover 12 is minimized.

In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the ribs 23 are replaced by a plurality of flexible annular vertical spaced ribs 35. Upon insertion of the attachment into the container, the ribs 35 flex to frictionally engage the container and provide a seal.

Iclaim:

1. For use with a container having a side wall and a top wall with a circular opening therein,

an attachment of organic plastic material comprising an integral annular lip extending radially upwardly and outwardly of an annular wall,

and a plurality of vertically spaced annular ribs on the outer surface of said wall,

each said rib being wedge shaped in cross section and including a first downwardly and radially inwardly extending portion forming a greater angle with the vertical than a second upwardly and radially inwardly extending portion, the outer diameter of said ribs increasing progressively upwardly along said wall, the outer periphery of said annular lip having a bead portion, a removable cover member having a downwardly extending flange with an inwardly extending bead on its lower inner edge forming an inwardly extending annual groove receiving the head on the periphery of the annular lip, an inwardly extending sharp edge at the area of juncture of the wall and lip portion of said attachment, said integral annular lip having an upwardly facing groove adjacent the periphery thereof to minimize dripping of the paint over the edge of the lip. 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 including an integral circumferentially extending hook portion connected to said lip and adapted to engage the handle of a brush.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Eisenberg 220-90 Stalter.

Yarnall 215-52 Nalle 150-.5 Daner 220-90 XR Rutledge 22090 Lindgren 215-52 Andrews 220-90 Boster 150-.5

s. 01. X.R. 

